Plus One was the 'first gay-owned bar to offer same-sex dancing', essentially breaking the owner ban on dancing. More clubs, publications, and services catered directly to the LGBT community.īarracks Row became an important part of the LGBT community.
The Washington Blade, America’s oldest LGBT newspaper, began in 1969. The Mattachine Society of Washington, which assisted federal employees and residents targeted for their sexuality, was formed. LGBT activism moved more to the public forefront starting in the 1960s. Uptown Restaurant and Gayety Buffet were both raided by the Metropolitan Police Department's Vice Squad. These weren't wholly safe places, however. Nob Hill, one of D.C.'s longest continuously operating gay bars and one of the oldest African-American gay bars in the country, opened in 1957. Under the Lavender Scare the federal government fired gay individuals en masse.ĭespite this, there were a number of LGBT spaces across D.C. Congress passed a law outlawing sodomy in D.C. Leading up to 1960 the LGBT community faced a number of discriminatory acts from federal and local government. A Timeline of LGBT Places and Spaces in D.C.Ĭlick locations for more information Prior to 1960
